Nissan Motor held a media briefing on September 17 to outline its plans to reduce variable costs in vehicle production, aiming to cut JPY250 billion (approx. US$1.7 billion) by fiscal 2026 (April 2026-March 2027) compared with fiscal 2024. The company plans to achieve these savings through wider adoption of Chinese-made components and a review of logistics operations, according to reports by Nikkei and Reuters.
While North American consumers have yet to feel the full force of the shift, a seismic transformation is quietly rippling through the global auto industry—one that originates not in Detroit, Tokyo, or Munich, but in China. Over the past five years, Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) have surged from the fringes to the forefront of the automotive world, triggering what experts increasingly describe as a market "tsunami" that threatens to upend the status quo.
ProLogium Technology has officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tier 1 automotive supplier Rimac Technology to jointly develop a new generation battery platform, which will integrate ProLogium's superfluidized all-inorganic solid-state lithium ceramic battery technology in a significant breakthrough for the field. Rimac Technology will leverage its expertise in high-performance battery pack design to create scalable solutions tailored for the automotive industry, incorporating cutting-edge technologies to meet the stringent demands of the electric vehicle market.
Chinese lidar manufacturer Hesai Technology announced on September 15, 2025, that it has deepened cooperation with a leading US robotaxi company by signing a lidar order exceeding US$40 million. Hesai will exclusively supply lidar sensors to this autonomous driving firm, with deliveries scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
Fan manufacturer Yen Sun Technology (YS Tech) expects solid operational growth for the full year of 2025. Despite challenges in August, such as European automakers entering their summer shipment offseason and cautious sentiment regarding US tariffs, automotive-related sales within China remained strong. Additionally, the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) boom continues to drive demand for its high-end networking and IT products.
The Trump administration has officially reduced the tariff rate on passenger cars imported from Japan from 27.5% to 15%, effective from 12:01 a.m. on September 16, 2025 (1:01 p.m. Japan time), according to documents released by the US Department of Commerce. However, ambiguity remains over whether Japan's semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries will receive most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment under the agreement.
Leading European carmakers have called on the EU to ease strict CO2 emission rules and support various powertrain technologies like hybrids to meet market needs. However, the EU has responded cautiously, postponing any decisions on loosening the targets.
China's technology industry is witnessing a surge in demand for domestic production and automation equipment, driven by broad environmental trends. The development pace differs across regions, reflecting local industrial ecosystems, with the emerging "low-altitude economy" gaining recognition as a vital sector for future growth.
In the ongoing transformation of the global automotive industry, one shift stands above the rest: the rise of the software-defined vehicle, or SDV. More than a technological upgrade, the move toward SDVs is reshaping vehicle architecture, supply chains, and the strategic priorities of automakers and semiconductor companies alike.
Following its major deal with Tesla, Samsung Electronics has won an order from Israeli IC design company Valens Semiconductor to manufacture next-generation automotive system chipsets based on the MIPI A-PHY standard. The chips are expected to be produced using FinFET process technology.
IAA Mobility in Munich, Germany, is generally seen as a key indicator for the global automotive industry, compared to CES in Las Vegas, the US, which is a showcase of the strengths of innovative technologies. However, the EU is set to review carbon emission regulations in mid-September 2025, shortly after this year's IAA Mobility. At this sensitive juncture, the direction of the IAA seems to have taken a sharp turn.
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